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Modern Art meets High-Tech Spraying Technology

Interview with contemporary artist Tim Bengel

He’s shaken up the art scene like no other in the last few years – Tim Bengel, a highly gifted young artist and social media star from Esslingen, near Stuttgart. Golden boy, Sandman, Wunderkind – the press has given Tim quite a few nicknames! On one point, however, everyone is agreed – that he is an exceptional talent of his generation, that the way he has staged and marketed his art has created something completely new. Through his social media channels, Tim Bengel makes his works and the process of how he produced them accessible to a wide range of people, and is celebrated worldwide for his pictures made of sand and gold.

We got the chance to see Tim and his new project, designing “Studio Berkheim”, and experience it up close. Armed with our Airless spray system, the ControlPro 350 Extra for larger spaces and a FinishControl 3500 for details, he turned a boring white hall in his atelier into a 360° art area. Walls, ceiling, floor, even the concrete stairs – it was all part of his idea for a creative transition area.

In an interview, Tim talks about transforming his studio and his relationship with art, recounting what it was like to be called “Bengel” as a child. He also reveals whether an internationally celebrated artist still does his own painting at home. Start getting excited!

Tim on his project Studio Berkheim

Tim, start by telling us a bit about yourself:

My name is Tim Bengel, I’m an artist from Esslingen near Stuttgart, normally I work with sand and gold, but on my current project I decided to start working with paint to “pimp” my new studio a bit.

What’s the purpose of your Studio Berkheim?

The idea behind Studio Berkheim is to allow more people access young, contemporary art. And there’s nothing like it in the region yet. I’m trying to bring together the best young artists from around the world and showcase them here.

How are you planning to use the room you transformed with our devices?

I’m going to use it as a transition area between museum and workshops. But it actually looks so good here that I might put in a bar, too. *laughs*

How did you like working with the paint spray system?

It was really fun working with the spray system, especially the device with black (Control Pro 350 Extra). It had the most power, but for the gold and pink details, the other device was brilliant too (FinishControl 3500). I would love to work with it some more. You can let your imagination run wild, think large-scale and I hope this was just the start for more projects.

Why do you choose spray paint and what are the advantages of a paint spray system for you in your creative work?

I use the spray systems for painting my sand and gold work, too, to make the materials adhere well. When designing my studio, it’s easy to get super creative in my work. You can test things out during the process and let yourself be surprised by the result. It’s just fun to work with quality.

Are you satisfied with the result?

I’m pretty satisfied, it turned out really colourful and I think it has artistic value. *grins* A nice contrast to the clean museum and showroom space. It’s been turned into a room with a completely different feel.

Tim on art

What fascinates you most about art?

There is no right or wrong, everyone can decide for themselves what is and isn't art, it’s such a huge field and every person can access art at their own level. It’s fun to learn about.

What was your most unusual project to date, and why?

One of my favourite projects was my installation in Berlin, because we built an art cemetery in less than 48 hours with 10,000 flowers and 100 marble slabs engraved in gold. With 15 stagehands, we were pushed to our physical limits, but the result was absolutely worth it. I’ll always remember that night as a happy memory.

Which project are you still looking forward to doing?

My first sculpture! By next year, you’ll be amazed at what I’m going to pull together!

How much does your social media presence contribute to your success?

It plays a huge part in my success, it’s made me known to the whole world, but you can’t neglect the real experience of art. That’s why I’m trying to give people real access to art with Studio Berkheim.

Your work is primarily black and white with gold accents. Have we converted you to colour now?

The result is incredible, really lovely and colourful, but I prefer to stay true to minimalism and my black/white/gold colour scheme in my work.

Tim on his personal life

Did you have to endure a lot of teasing as a child because of your surname?

I've actually never had any trouble with my surname. It even has the advantage that people can always remember it easily and I don't have to introduce myself twice.

Do you still paint your own walls at home?

Yeah I actually painted everything myself, even the ceilings, it was fun and it looks great, I think *laughs*

Buying gifts or making them yourself?

I really like it when people make something themselves, little things like the invitations to my opening party, which were each individually created for the specific person. I like that a lot better than buying things.

If you want to learn more about Tim Bengel and his art, take a look at his social media channels!